Washing and cleaning machine and method



Jan. 3, 1939. G K HN 9 2,142,961

WASHING AND CLEANING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed July 25, 1936 Patent ell j Uulrao STATES P'AQTENT'. OFFICE Oscar S. Wilkinson,

Washington, D. 0. Lee Allan swem, New rot-h, N. Y and hlmrelr Application July 25,1936, Serial at. 92.500 Claims; (01. s-m) This invention relates to the washing and cleaning of fabrics and articles and more particularly to power driven washing and cleaning machines; The invention provides-a washing and cleaning machine of extremely simple construction which provides all essential operations to effect a rapid and thorough cleaning or washing of the articles. These operations include circulation of 1 the articlesin the washing fluid, scrubbing, and

shaking of the articles, agitating and flexing of the fabric of the 'article's, and rapi'dly pulsating the fluid through the fabric. The machine of the present invention includes a rapidly reciprocating, washing element submerged in the washing fluid, provlded with one ormore circumferential projections or-disks serving as scrubbing suri'aces and as means providing a unidirectional flow or circulatory motion of 9 the fluid whereby the'articles being cleaned are successively repeatedly drawn into a scrubbing zone adjacent the washing element wherein they are scrubbed and vigorously shaken. Aciditionally, the motion of the washing element produces sufliciently vigorous pulsationswhichspread throughout the body of the fluid and serve to loosen and remove dirtby rapidly flexing and agitating the articles and pulsating the'fluid through the fabric. The washing element also functions to untangle any fabric or article which may have become tangled with another or others during the washing action.

The intensity and. rapidity of the washing action may be readily varied by a simple adjustas may be desired to suit the particular type of fabric undergoing treatment. The structure of the washingelement permits the use of an elastic material which will preclude injury to fabrics even with the most vigorous washing action. The speed and direction ofthe circulation of the fluid and the articles being treated may be altered by 45 variations in the form and size of the washing element.

The invention-in its several aspects will be understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying draw- 50 ing forming a part thereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view in vertical section of a washing machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the operating mech- 55 anism for the washing element, taken substanment of the stroke of the washing element to" produce as gentle oras vigorous a washing action as shown ,tially on line 2-: of Fig. l, and on an enlarged scale; v

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on, an enlarged scale, taken on line H of Fig. 2; 5 Fig. '4 is a vertical sectional view, on an enl arged scale, of the washing element and the parts immediately associated therewith;

Fig. 5 is a, vertical sectional view of another form of washing element; and m Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a furtherform of washing element.

Like characters of reference refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, particularly to the 15 machine ilustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, reference character I0 designates the tub' of the machine which is preferably cylindrical in form, with a closed bottom II and an opening IZ at the top which may be closed by a hinged cover is. The tub in is secured to a-supporting ped- 2 .estal II which also serves to support the operating mechanism for the washing element.

The washing element I5 is rapidly reciprooated' with relatively short strokes in the treating fluid contained in the tub, and includes one or more 25 scrubbing surfaces which also produce circulatory motion of the washing fluid and pulsations in the fluid which are sufficiently vigorous to-flex and agitate flexible articles being treated and to cause the fluid to be forced through the fabric of the articles. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4,

the washing element i is provided with four spaced projections or dis Ii, l1, I8 and is respectively. In this instance, the disks are constructed and arranged so as to cause the treating fluid and the articles being treated, to circulate .in general as indicated by the flow lines in Fig. 1,

that is, toward the center of the tub at the lower end of the washing element, upwardly at the center and along the element through the scrubbing 40 zone, then radially outwardly, from the upper end or portion of the element and downwardly at the wall or the peripheral portions of the tub.

- Although the washing element may be constructed of rigid materials such as metal, hard rubber,

Bakelite, etc., I prefer using elastic and flexible. material such as live rubber, or suitable rubber. composition reinforced WIthJfa brlc where necessary. Greater ciroulationofftlie fluid and more gentle treatment of theejrti les is thus obtained. More specifically, thedisks li'and ll of the washing element may be flexible rubber cups.. These cups are disposed so as tobe concave upwardly,

in Figs. 1 andij 'and as they are reciprocated, theibo'ttom of-ijthe cups flex and the but it should not possess the degree of concavity; of cups li and l1. Instead it should have an 9- I wardly inclined flange on the order of that shown in Fig. 4, so arranged that it functionsto take hold of the articles brought into the scrubbing zone by the cups l and I1 and to feed them upwardly in 'a series of relatlt'ely fastlfierks toward the disks above. Disk is should be semi-flexible, that is, more rigid than the lower disks and is constructed and arranged to slap or pound'the articles moving upwardly in the scrubbing zone and to push them and the treating fluid radially outwardly toward the wall of the tub in the upper portion of the fluid. This disk is carved outwardly and upwardly as shown in Fig. 4, with a concave lower surface, and is positioned to operate at the surface of the body of washing fluid. Duringpperation, it projects the upper layer of the fluid and articles therein, outwardly toward the wall'of the tub. Upon reaching or earing the wall of the tub, the fluid and the articles will be forcedto flow downwardly toward the bottom of the tub due to the action of the bottom disks IO and II as previously described,

The dishs on the washing element should be I spaced apart a distance suiflcient to allow.each disk to fully periorm its intended function. Although two pumping disks It and II are shown, a single disk of this character may be used where less vigorous circulation is desired.

The carrying and operating mechanism for the washing element i5 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, includes a sleeve upon which the disks it to II are mounted-and a shaft 2| arranged and Supported to be rapidly reciprocated. Shaft 2| extends through the bottom ll of the tub through a packing gland 22 carried by a flanged cylindrical member 28, the upper end 0! which 50 extends through an aperture in the bottom ll of the tuband is secured to the tub bottom by a retaining ring 2| which is threaded on the member 23 and forces the tub bottom against an annular rubber cmhion II to thereby prevent leakage of the washing fluid. Space 26 in member 2!, provides an oil and water collecting chamher. A drain tube may be connected to this chamber through which accumulated oil and water may be emptied. An inverted cup-shaped so member 21 is threaded to the upper end of the member 28 and supports a stationary supporting tube 28 at its lower end. This tube is vertically disposed concentricallywith the shaft II and extends upwardlyin the to apoint prefgg erably above the level of the washing fluid therein. Theoutersleeveilissecuredatitsupper end'toth'eupperendportionofthesh'aftllby any suitable means such, for example, as illustratedinr'igi. Asupportingcollariiis-sellicillci'ltothelowerendof the sleeve ii and serves tosupport thelowermost cup ll. Are-f -tainingringaisthreade-dontheupperendcf the outer sleeveiand is turned down tightly agalnstthcuppermostdiskll. 'Ihedisksllto 7. llinclusivemaybeintcgralcroneormoremay be separate from one or more of the others. The hubs of these disks maybe of suflicient axial length to provide the desired spacing between their outer edges, or suitable other spacing means maybe empioyed, if desired.

In the form of the invention illustrated, the machine is operated by an electric motor 3| through suitable mechanism for imparting to the washing element the necessary or desired rapid reciprocatingimotion, As shown, mechanism is provided for this purpose which is capable of adjustment so that the stroke of the washing element may be varied from zero to the maximum stroke for the" mechanism. This mechanism includes an eccentric 32 flxed to the motor shaft ll and'an eccentric strap 34, having an arm 35 to the end of which is 'pivoted a rod 3% which functions as a lever, as will presently appear. Obviously, a crank may be substituted for the eccentric 'and strap, if desired. The other end of rod I! is pivoted to one end 31 of a forked lever Ii pivoted intermediate its ends at fixed point 39 to spaced supporting members 40. The end 4! oflever it is connected to a block I! through links I. Block "'15 mounted on the reciproeating shaft 2| and may be flxed in suitable position thereon. by a set screw 4| or other means. Slidably mounted on rod 36 is a sleeve 45 having spaced ears which are pivotally connected to spaced lugs 41 mounted on a carriage. During operation'oi the device, rod 38 reciprocates within the sleeve 4!. In the form shown, this carriage is threadedly mounted on an adjusting screw 49 which is supported on the supporting member ll of the machine with one end extending outwardly beyond the member I! and upon which is mounted a hand wheel 50 for operating the screw to adjust the position of the carriage ll thereupon. The ears 46 and the lugs 42 on the sleeve 45 and carriage 5! respectively, are spaced apart a distance sumcient to permit the pivot pins 5| connecting them together, to receive the pivotally connected lugs of rod 36 and lever 3| so that the pins 5| may be brought into axial aiignment with pin 52 connecting the rod 38 and lever 3|. With this arrangement it will be perceived that with pivot 39 functioning as a flxed fulcrum for lever 3!, operation of hand wheel 5. will move carriage II and sleeve 46 on rod 3' so that the pins 5| will functionas a fulcrum for rod 3!. This fulcrum may be moved to any position intermediate the position wherein it is inv alignment with pin 5; and the opposite extreme position for the mechanism. Thus rod it will function as a lever and the motion imparted through the rod to lever 30 will depend upim the position of the carriage and the fulcm. In consequence, by adjustment of hand wheel "Q the stroke 0! the reciprocating rod II which operates the washing element It, may be gradually varied from zero to maximum for the device. With this arrangement, the intensity and rapidity of the washing action may be readily varied to produce as gentle or as vigorous a washing action as may be required for the particular fabrics or articles undergoing treatment so that the machine is readily adaptable to thewashing of all types and kinds of fabrics from the most delicate and trail to the heaviest and most durable.

Forms of washing elements other than that disclosed in Figs. 1 and 4 may be employed, if desired. including washing elements with but a single disk. Other forms which have been found Mable for thc purposc include those discloud 3| "8,149,981 7 in Figs. Sand 6. However, it slijould be under- 7 j stood that the invention is not limited to the particular forms of washingelements hereindisclosed, but that'other forms and arrangements principles of the invention. I .r

In Fig. 5 the washing element consists of'twc spaced rubber cups 53 and 54 mounted on a reciprocating rod 2L, The cups are mounted withtheir concave sides disposed downwardly which will cause the treating fluid and the articles being treated, to circulate downwardly in the scrubbing zone which is adjacent the washing elements,

rather than upwardly in said zone as in the case of the washing element disclosed in.Figs. 1 and 4. However, these cups may be inverted in position on the rod 2| to providecirculation through the scrubbing zone in an upward direction, if dethan the lower cup 54. 'I'herelative proportions 01' these cups may be varied so that both cups are of the same diameter or the lower cup is. of smaller diameter than the upper cup.

In Fig. 6, the washing-element has four disks 55, 56, 51 and 58 which are disposed on'a reciprocating rod 2|. v These disks are in general similar to disk llw-Disk 55 being of greatestdiameter has the greatest flexibility and during operation, the center v oi' the disk reciprocates with shaft 2| and the outer peripheral portion moves considerably less, thereby producing pumping action toward the axis-of thedisk similar to the action of cup l5. The'other disks 55, 51 and 58, being progressively smaller in diam eter, possess progressively less flexibility, with the uppermost disk being fairly rigid. Thus, this arrangement functions in a manner similar to the washing element shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

Actual tests have indicated that very satisfactory results are obtained with a machine constructed and arranged as disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, with the washing element arranged as shown in these figures With-about 18 gallons of warm water and 4 ounces of soap in thetub and 12 pounds of soiled, dry clothes; and with the washing element reciprocating at the rate of 600 strokes per minute with a 1% inch stroke, a pera'ect m was obtained in 20 minutes of operasoapytion of the machine. The dimensions of the disks of the washing element in this instance were'as follows; the lower cups it and II had outside di-- meters of 6 inches, and were 1% inches in depth, disk "had an outside diameter-oi 7 inches and top disk 15 had an outside diameter of- 5 inchesf The cups were spaced about 2% inches apart on the sleeve'supporting them. i the opera- 2" tion'of the machine, thewater and the clothes continuously circulated in thetub in the direc--- tionvindieated-by th'e dlrectioulines inlig: 1 of the drawing and in the manner previously de scribed in connection with Fig. 1.-

i .fExcelient results; were jobtained fin 7 ;-;washing machine utilizing awashing {element r 1 arranged. as-rshown HT'PIIQS. 3% gallons 'ofj"? water and; 2 pounds of soiled, dry clothes-J- cup'w'as 4 inches in diam I eter m the "3% inches indiameter. and

may be employed without departing fromthe I 3 inch stroke at 1,150 st kesper minute. "Batis factory washing action was obtained with the washing element operating atspeeds from 675 to 1,150 strokes per minuteiwith strokes between and %ofaninch.

Although the washingfielement is disclosed herein as being centrally-or'axially disposed in the tub, it will be understood that other positions of the washing element in the tub will produce satisfactory results. The washing element may be placed at any suitable oil-center position and may even be disposed closely adjacent the wall of the tub, if desired. Additionally, the washing ele= ment may be actuated from the top of the tub rather than from the bottom asillustrated.

with the machine arranged as disclosed in Fig.

.1, the water levelmay be at diiferent levels for diflerent loads oi. articles to be" treated. With small quantities of clothes or articles,- for example less than 6 pounds, the water level maybe at the level of the outer peripheral portions of the disk It, in which event only the'three lower disks will be submerged and only these function to produce washing action. With larger volumes of clothes, for example 6 to 12 pounds, the water level should be at the level of'the outer-peripheral portion of disk it asshown in'FlgLli-so that all four of the disks of the washing element will be operative to produce washing action." :;-The upper m most disk will strike or slap the water and send it inia continuous spray which falls around the walls;

of the tub and tends to gubm e meby Pushing them toward the bottonr:

The washing elements constructed andf oper ated as previously described produce .a pulsating unidirectional flow of fluid. This character of flow is due to the fact that the disks .of 'thewashin'g element constitute fluid propellinggprojections, the upper and lower surfaces or: which encounter diirerent degrees of their passage through the fluid. With an element constructed and arranged as illustratediri Figs. 1

and .4, the disks encounter less resistancem their downward movement than on their upward movement, which is due primarily to their shapespe ciflally their upwardly inclined circumferential surfaces. This action is present whether'the disks are of rigid material and construction'or oi flexible material or construction; When,howe ver,- the disks are of flexible or elastic material or con: struction, the efl'ective diameters alternately decrease and increase during operation jfon: their downward and upwardstrokes respectively whereby theirfluid propelling actionins previously described is further amplifled."-;This pulsating: unidirectional flow of the fluidcarries the 1 articles into proximity of thevwashin'gelement which engages the articles singly and pulls them individually in a series of short, fast ierks past the scrubbing edges which shake, flex and briskly rub the fabrics and propel, them upwardly and outwardly, after which they are carried by the currents of fluid to the bottom of the tub to begin anew cycle. Throughout the process of washing, the fluid continuously pulsates back and forth through the meshes of; the fabric thereby loosening the dirt preparatory to" its removal in the scrubbing zone; Whereas a would not loosen an article entangled in a ass. ,1 series of fd'flttl hort ierkssuch 'aspro'duced by thema-,

chine of my invention,- readlly so;

:Jiv mm e n mb of nute Y suchas'abelt j 1 the'washing element reciprocated with "a. P6

lation of the fluid, the intensity of the washing action, and other factors depend upon the shape, size, number and relative position and inclination of the surfaces of the disks as well as upon the operating speed of the washing element, it will be readily perceived that any or all of these factors may be modified as desired to meet any particular requirements.

In the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the washing element performs both the washing and fluid propelling functions. However, if desired, separate fluid circulatory means of suitable character, such as a pump, propeller, or the like, may be employed, in which event the washing element will perform only the washing function.

Due to the unique character of the circulatory motion obtained in the machine of my invention,

the shape of the tub is immaterial, and rounded corners or inclined walls or the like are unnecesrary, because during operation, the clothes or other articles discharged upwardly and outwardly upon the surface of the fluid impose their weight upon the otherarticles disposed at the outer peripheral portions of the tub and force these other articles downwardly and into the sphere of influence of the lower disk or disks of the washingelement. This action is further assistcd by the continuous outwardly directed spray sent out by the upper disk of the washing element which falls at the outer portions of the tub and upon the articles there disposed, thus submerging them, as previously described.

Whereas the direction of fluid circulation previously described is preferred, circulatory motion in the reverse direction may be utilized merely by inverting the surfaces of the disks of the washing element.

In the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the washing element is operated in a substantially cylindrical tub, but the washing element may ,be shaped to suit any other shape of tub, such as rectangular, in which case the washing element may consist of rigid or elastic strips of a configuration to conform to the shapeof the tub to produce uniform circulation of fluid throughout the tub. For example, a long, rectangular tub may be used with a washing element positioned longitudinally in the latter and consisting of elongated strips supported by a vertically disposed plate which is vertically reciprocated rapidly with short strokes.

The mechanism herein disclosed for varying the stroke of the washing element may be applied to many other uses, such as variable stroke pumps, hammering and riveting machines, and any other devices employing vibratory or reciprocatory motion.

It will be obvious that changes may be made in the form, location, relative arrangement and] the materials of the several parts of the machine disclosed, and that. variations in the steps'of the method or their sequence may be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly no intention is entertained to limit the invention except by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

l. A fluidtreating element for a fluid treating machine adapted to be operatively disposed in a tub of the machine, comprising a supporting member and a plurality of spaced, concavo-convex annular flanges of elastic material on said member, at' least one of said flanges having greater elasticity than another.

2. A fluid treating element for a fluid treating machine adapted to be operatively disposed in a tub of the machine, comprising a supporting member and a plurality of spaced, concavo-convex annular flanges of elastic material on said member, the flange at one end of the supporting member having greater elasticity than another flange.

3. A fluid treatingelement for a fluid treating machine adapted to be operatively disposed in r a tubof the machine, comprising a supporting member and a plurality of spaced, concavo-convex annular flanges of elastic material on said member, the flange at one end of the supporting member having greater rigidity than another flange.

4. A fluid treating element for a fluid treating machine adapted to be operatively disposed in a tub of the machine, comprising a supporting member and a plurality of spaced, concavo-convex annular flanges of elastic material on said member, the flange at one end of the supporting member having greater. elasticity than the flange at the other end thereof and the intermediate flanges having an elasticity substantially no greater than the endmost flange of greater elasticity.

5. A fluid treating element for a fluid treati machine adapted to be operatively disposed in a tub of the machine, comprising a .supporting member and a plurality. of spaced, concavo-convex annular flanges of elastic material on said member, at least one of the flanges having a greater degree of concavo-convexity than another flange.

6. A fluid treating element for a fluid treating machine adapted to be operatively disposed in a tub of the machine, comprising a supporting member and a plurality of spaced, concavo-convex annular flanges of elastic material on said member, one or more of said flanges having a diameter different from the diameter of another flange.

7. The method of treating articles with fluid in a tub or the like which comprises subjecting the fluid in a zone constituting a minor portion of its total volume, to repeated, intermittent, rectilineally and rapidly applied impulses greater in one direction than in the opposite direction, the rapidity of said impulses being sufllciently great to cause the fluid andarticles to flow unidirectionally through said zone in a series of radial circulatory paths, ,and subjecting the articles while passing through said zone to a rapid reciprocatory scrubbing action.

8. The methodof treating articles with fluid in a tub or the like which comprises subjecting the "fluid in a zone constituting a minor portion of its total volume, to repeated, intermittent, rectilineally and rapidly applied impulses greater in one direction than in the opposite direction, the rapidity of said impulses being sufficiently great to cause the fluid; and articles to flow unidirectionally through said zone in a series of'radial circulatory paths, subjecting the articles while passing through said zone to a rapid reciprocatory scrubbing action, and causing the fluid to rapidly pulsate through the articles as they circulate in the fluid.

9. The method of treating articles with fluid in a tub or the like whit'zh comprises subjecting the fluid in a zone constituting a minor portion of its total volume, to repeated, intermittent, rectili neally and rapidly applied impulses greater in one direction than inthe opposite direction, the rapidity of said impulses being sufliciently great eally and to operate said peripheral portion to to cause the fluid and articles to flow unidirectionally through said zone in a series of radial circulatory paths, subjecting the articles while passing through said zone to a rapid reciprocatory scrubbing action, causing the fluid to rapidly pulsate through the articles as they circulate in the fluid, and subjecting the articles as they circulate in the fluid to vigorous flexing and shaking.

'10. The method of treating articles with fluid in a tub or the like which comprises subjecting the fluid in a zone constituting a minor portion of its total volume, to repeated, intermittent, rectilineally and rapidly applied impulses greater in one direction than in the opposite direction, the

rapidity of said impulses being sufilciently great to cause the fluid and articles to flow unidirectionally through said zone in a series of radial circulatory paths, subjecting the articles while passing through said zone to a rapid reciprocatory scrubbing action, and causing the articles during circulation to be engaged'successively and individually and by a series of short, fast jerks to be separated from the remainder of the articles,

thereby untangling them from the other articles.

11. Apparatus for treating articles with fluid comprising a tub, a rectilineally reciprocable fluid propelling element in the tub spaced from the wall thereof to allow free circulation, of the articles between the element and the tub wall and having a peripheral portion normally movable with respect to the element .in response to the fluid pressure thereon substantially within the limits of a quadrant the major portion of which lies on one side of a plane passing transversely through the axis of reciprocation of the element whereby a greater fluidpropelling force is produced in one direction than in the opposite direction, and short stroke; high speed power driven means associated with the tub and connected to the element to reciprocate the element rectilinimpart to the fluid, in the zone surrounding the to decrease the flare when moved in the opposite element, a series of short, rapid, intermittent, unidirectional, impulses whereby unidirectional flow of the fluid is produced in the tub about the element in a series of circulatory paths lying substantially in planes disposed radially with respect to the axis of reciprocation.

12. Apparatus for treating articles with fluid comprising a tub, a fluid propelling element in the tub spaced from the wall thereof to allow free circulation of the articles between the element and the tub wall and having an outwardly flaring bendable elastic peripheral portion bending in response to the fluid pressure thereon to increase the flare when moved in one direction and direction, and short stroke, high speed power driven means associatedwith the tub and connected to the element to reciprocate the element rectilineally and to operate said peripheral portion to impart to the fluidin the zone surrounding the element, a series of short,'rapid,'intermittent, unidirectional impulses whereby unidirectional flow of the fluid is produced in the tub about the element in a series of circulatory paths lying substantially in planes disposed radially with respect to the axis of reciprocation.

13. Apparatus for treating articles with fluid comprising a tub, a rectilineally reciprocable fluid propelling element in the tub spaced from the wall thereof to allow tree circulation of the articles between the element and the tub wall and having 1 means being between positions of dillerent inclination thereby providing greater eflective fluid propelling area upon movement of the element in one direction than is provided upon movement of the element in the opposite direction, and short stroke, high speed power driven means associated with the tub and connected to the element to reciprocate the element rectilineally and to operate said peripheral portion to impart to the fluid in the zone surrounding the element, a series of short, rapid, intermittent, unidirectional impulses whereby unidirectional flow of the fluid is produced in the tub about the element in a series of circulatory paths lying substantially in planes disposed radially with respect to the axis of reciprocation.

14. Apparatus for treating articles with fluid comprising a tub, a rectilineally reciprocable fluid efl'ective fluid propelling area is increased upon movement of the element in one direction and is' decreased upon movement of the element in the opposite direction, and short stroke, high speed power driven means associated with the tub and connected to the element to reciprocate the element rectilineally at a speed sumciently great to cause the fluid pressure acting thereon to vary the angle of inclination of said movable peripheral means to impart to the fluid in the zone surrounding the element, a series of short, rapid, intermittent, unidirectional impulses whereby unidirectional flow of the fluid is produced in the tub about the element in a series of circulatory paths I lyingsubstantially in planes disposed radially with respect to the axis of reciprocation.

15. Apparatus for treating articles with fluid comprising a tub, a fluid propelling elementin the tub spaced from the wall thereof to allow tree circulation of the articles between the element and the tub wall, andhaving an outwardly flaring, stretchable, resilient; peripheral portion with a free edge,said portion bending in response to 'the fluid pressure thereon to increase the flare when moved in one direction and to decrease the'flare when moved in the opposite direction. and short stroke, high speed power driven means associated with the tub and connected to the element to reciprocate the'element rectilineally and to, operate said peripheral portion to impart to the fluid in the zone surrounding the element, a series of short, rapid, intermittent, unidirecaxis of reciprocation.

GEORGE KUHN.

'tional impulses whereby unidirectional flow oi 

